CANTON — Several home-based businesses have started up here recently.

The latest is Kathy Peters’ sewing shop, Simply Sewing, at 12 Main St. The Sumner resident has made her living sewing, starting with the former Ward Bros. women’s clothing store on Lisbon Street in Lewiston. For 15 years she made all the costumes for Bates College productions.

In her new shop, an outgrowth of her home-based business, she offers lessons in sewing and quilting, and shows quilts made by 8- and 9-year-olds.

Among the other activities scheduled on her calendar is “bag it” day when people can make a bag out of materials they bring or buy at the shop. Another is open sewing day, which costs $10.

“People bring in their sewing problems or their machine problems. Someone comes in and picks up machines for servicing, so people can drop off their machines in need of care,” she said.

Sierra and Katie Westcott, sisters from Hartford, came for their sewing lessons after school. Sierra is making a vintage-looking apron.

“I got interested in sewing when I saw pictures of vintage clothing,” she said. Her homework was freehand embroidery for the apron.

Katie is making a pair of pajamas.

“I got interested because my mom sews,” she said.

Peters offers lessons for $15.

Peters also has a ‘make it and take it day’ for $5.

People may contact her at 461-1897 or check out Kathy Cosgrove Peters on Facebook.

Also on Main Street is Roadsafe, LLC, a new business started by engineer Malcolm Ray of Canton. He has three partners and one employee, all of them engineers. The company specializes in roadside safety such as guardrails, bridges, light poles and anything that has to do with safety. The business may be contacted at 514-5474.

R and P Auto Repair at 59 Main St. was started by Russ Tracy after his hours were cut as his job in June. He and his wife, Pam, decided to turn their double garage into a mechanic shop.

He does the repairs; she handles the paperwork. The shop is open from 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. The business number is 860-6370.

Hutchins Custom Woodworking, owned and operated by Donald Hutchins of Canton, specializes in kitchen cabinetry mostly. He has one to two employees and may be reached at 597-3071.

Another home-based enterprise operating in town for a number of years is Partnerships for Innovations, a consulting business operated by Diane Ray. Although based at home, she has traveled to 40 countries as part of her work.

Working from home though affords her a view of Lake Anasagunticook and the sound of the loons that “I wouldn’t trade. Plus, working from home enables me to be home when the kids get home from school,” she said.